Thursday, March 15, 2012

Chocolate Chip Coconut Flour Bars

It has been so incredibly beautiful here in the Midwest since last weekend, that we have spent a ton of time outside. Last night after getting home from work, we were all outside for two hours until I realized I hadn't even thought about dinner and the kids weren't even complaining that they were hungry.

It's amazing what a little sunshine can do to your life.

Today's high is 78 (in March!) so it's going to be another great day. Work, a lunch date, and possibly dinner on the grill after I do a little grocery shopping. Can't beat it.

Oh, and did I mention these bars?

I was recently contacted by Swanson Vitamins and was given the chance to sample some of their great products for free. In the end I ended up ordering chia seeds (the hubby loves them in his protein shakes!), gluten free oats and organic coconut flour.

The coconut flour I used in these bars. Drool. All over yourself at this point. I did.

After cruising the Swanson website for a long time, I will have to admit it was hard to choose my items. There is SO much good stuff! And what makes it even better is how reasonable the prices are - in my opinion, much better than any health food store.

I did learn something though. Coconut flour can be tricky. Mixing it with other flours creates a great texture, but using just alone will make for a mess. I tried making pancakes out of it one morning, with that flour alone, and it was a lumpy, hard, delicious smelling mess.

Silly me, I just flew into the process without researching it one bit. After reading about it online, EVERYONE said to mix with other flours, so I did.

And my bars turned out delicious. And wonderful. And heavenly all in one.

These look wonderful and very worth a go at them! As an aside, I believe I have that same cookbook! It was my mother's, published in 1961, and I remember looking through all of the wonderful photos and illustrations numerous times as a child! :)